The Boyz faces losing group name amid trademark dispute

K-pop group The Boyz, which recently moved as a complete group to a new agency, is now at risk of losing the group name they’ve used for seven years.

On December 4th, according to TenAsia, negotiations between The Boyz’s new agency, OneHundred Entertainment, and their former agency, IST Entertainment, regarding the trademark rights for the group name have broken down. 

Earlier reports revealed that discussions about the trademark were underway following The Boyz’s transfer to OneHundred. Initially, IST was said to have demanded tens of billions of won for the trademark rights. When OneHundred declined to meet the financial demand, IST reportedly proposed additional conditions for using the name. These conditions allegedly included restrictions on The Boyz’s music activities and went beyond standard trademark negotiations, making them unacceptable to OneHundred.

The breakdown of negotiations results in losses for all parties. Without the group members, the 'The Boyz' trademark holds little value. IST retains a trademark devoid of substance, while The Boyz may lose the name that encapsulates their years of activities and memories with fans.

The Boyz members have expressed their strong desire to retain the group name, citing its sentimental value tied to memories with their fandom. Reports suggest that some members were seen in tears upon hearing the news of the failed negotiations. Despite their wishes, the sharp divide between the two agencies has led to an unfortunate outcome.

According to OneHundred, The Boyz is now preparing to promote under new names such as 'The Boys' or 'The New Boyz.'

Debuting in 2017, The Boyz gained significant recognition after winning Mnet’s 'Road to Kingdom' in 2020 with their high-quality performances. They went on to expand their fandom through 'Kingdom' and have since released hit tracks such as 'Thrill Ride' and 'The Stealer.' The group continues to showcase their talent and strong presence in the K-pop scene.